Seahawks Dominate 49ers 41-6 Behind Kenneth Walker's Three TDs

Seahawks Roll Past 49ers 41–6 in NFC Divisional Round

The Seattle Seahawks showcased an impressive display of football in the Divisional Round, overpowering the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 41–6. A rapid start, an unyielding running game, and a formidable defense that capitalized on mistakes transformed this rivalry contest into an emphatic playoff victory.

First Quarter: Special Teams Shock and Early Control

Seattle seized control right from the outset. Rashid Shaheed fielded the opening kickoff at the Seahawks’ 5-yard line and raced 95 yards for a touchdown, swiftly propelling Seattle ahead 7–0. In response, San Francisco attempted to counter with a series of short passes and runs by Christian McCaffrey, but a fumble disrupted their momentum. Seattle took advantage of this miscue by methodically advancing the ball and converting with a 31-yard field goal.

The Seahawks continued their assault. Later in the quarter, San Francisco suffered another blow when they lost a fumble following a completed pass, granting Seattle excellent field position. Sam Darnold capitalized on this opportunity by delivering a short touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. By the time the quarter concluded, Seattle had established a commanding 17–0 lead.

Second Quarter: 49ers Settle, Seahawks Strike Back

San Francisco finally managed to score in the second quarter, but only via field goals. Eddy Pineiro successfully converted from 40 yards, followed by a long 56-yarder that narrowed the gap to 17–6. Nevertheless, despite these scores, the 49ers struggled to convert their drives inside the red zone.

In response, Seattle maintained their poise and physicality. As the half drew to a close, the Seahawks increasingly relied on Kenneth Walker III in the vicinity of the goal line. With less than a minute remaining, Walker powered through for a 7-yard touchdown run, allowing Seattle to enter halftime with a solid lead of 24–6.

Third Quarter: Walker and the Defense Take Over

Any hopes of a San Francisco resurgence quickly evaporated after the intermission. Seattle commenced the third quarter with a commanding drive that prominently featured Walker, who broke loose for a 15-yard touchdown run, expanding the lead to 31–6.

The Seahawks’ defense then delivered another crushing blow. Brock Purdy was sacked, resulting in a fumble that Seattle promptly recovered, thus maintaining their momentum. While San Francisco managed to advance the ball sporadically, they were unable to withstand the relentless pressure or protect their possession effectively.

Fourth Quarter: Finishing the Job

Seattle exhibited no intentions of easing off in the fourth quarter. Walker scored yet again on a short touchdown run, marking his third touchdown of the game and pushing the lead further out of reach. The Seahawks capped off their performance with a late field goal and relied on their stout defense to secure the game without allowing any additional points.

Final Takeaway: A Statement Win by Seattle

From the initial kickoff to the concluding whistle, Seattle exerted control over every facet of the game. Significant contributions from special teams, an outstanding performance by Kenneth Walker III, and a defense that compelled turnovers were instrumental in this triumph. With a decisive 41–6 victory over a divisional rival, the Seahawks not only advanced to the next round but also sent a clear message about their aspirations for the Super Bowl.